The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-10-06

w
GEN. ID. P. GRIER, CHAIRMAN OF THE LOCAL
EXECUTIVE CoMnTTEE.
claim and receiving his pension under any other
general special act Prorided hOtcerer, That no
person shall receive more than pension for the
same period; And, proUided further That rank in
the service shall not be considered in applications
filed Hereunder.
See g. That if any invalid pensioner had died, or
shall hereafter die eavinga widow minor child or
children under Is years ofage, or in case there be
no widow or minor child or children, a dependent
mother or father, such widow, minor child or chill |
dren mother or father. shall be placed upon the
PEI Ion roll at the rates established by law for
WIDOWS, minor children and parents, without re-
gard TO the of death of such pensOner; Pro-
Uided That the cause of death of such pensiOuer
was not or Is not due to violation of civil or mill
tary laws, or the result OF vicious habits PrOVited
further. That said widow married TO the de-
ceased pensioner prior to the passage OF this act
shall be at the rate of per month instead OF g
per month. now provided by law, and in case a
minor child IL insane ldlotic or otherwise helpiess
the pension shall continue during the life Of said
child, or during the period of such disability.
Sec. A. That any agent, attorney. or other person
instrumental in prosecuting any claim under sec
tions or of this act who shall directly or indi-
rectly, contract for, demand receive retain for
his service or instTumentalty in presenting and
prosecuting such claim, sum greater than $40,
payable only upon the order of the Commissioner
Of Pensions, by the pension agent making pay
-
fully withhold from pensicner or claimant the
whole any part Of the pension or claim allowed
| and due such Pensioner or claimant. shall be
deemed guilty OF a misdemeanOr. and upon con-
viction thereof shall. for every suoh ofense. be
fined not exceeding $500, or imprisonment at hard
labor not exceeding two years. or BOTH in the dis
cretiOn Of the court
Sec s. That all laws and parts Of laws which
conflict with the provisions of this act be- and the
same are hereby repealed.
WHAT THE BILL MEANS.
4 M
Grams who are now or may hereafter become un-
able to their own livelihood for direct con-
| tinuanee Of pensions for widows in their own
right; for an increase Of the present pittance to
minor children, and for fathers or mothers from
any date of dependence Such = law would at
once remove fully 1000 veterans from the public
aifushOuses where they now rest making them
pensioners instead OF paupers, provide pensions
| for fully as many more now dependent upon pri-
vate charity, aud put into the general pension
\ laws-for the first tnle-the recognition of the
principle that pensions may be granted to survivors
| OF the late war without absolute proof of disable
ity arising from the service, proof almost iposs-
bic To procure after the lapse of more than 20 years
The bill is sifnilaF in general principle 70 that
vetoed, but the Objectionable pauper clause is omit
ted making this disability. not dependent bill.
This bill. by direction of the Chief
| and accompanied by an official circular was sub
mItted to ali the Posts of the country with an IN
| yitei expression of opinion thereon. The result
i shows that whatever other legislation some COM
rades desire the Grand Army Of the Republic Is
practically unanimous for everything contained in
this bill. Whatever more in the line OF pension
| legislation is desirab'e-and your committee con
slider this bill far short OF what should be granted
! we know from the experience Of five years. that
| any additional legislation Is only TO be secured
inch by inch after persistent effort, and we believe
that the suggested BILL with other measures here
tofoFe proposed by this committee with your in
dorsemeHt, includes the most urgent and pressing
demands and that other and broader measures
should at least wait until these have been secured
| Your committee therefore. recommend the COR
tnuance Of earnest effort in favor of the iOOwing
The bill prepared by this committee, granting
pensions to all veterans BOW disabled or in need ;
to mothers and fathers from date of dependence;
continuance Of pensions to widows ia their own
| right, and an increase for minor children.
All of the recommendations for increase and
equal ization of pensions for special disabilities
made IN his recent report by Pension Commissioner
| Black.
pension of s12 per month to all widows Of hon
orablydischarged soldiers and sailors OF the late
/ war.
Increased pensions for the severer disabilities.
substantially as presented in the bill prepared by
the United States Manned Veterans League.
Pensions for the survivors of rebel prisons, sub
stantiaIly As presented in the bill of the National
Association of Prisoners Of War
Increased pensions for loss of hearing eyesight.
A re-enactment of the arrears law
An equitable equalization of bOunties.
The same pension for the widow OF the repre-
sentative volunteer soldier OF the Union army
John A. LOgan-as is paid to the widows of those
typical Regulars Thomas. the Rock of Chic!Sa-
n,auga, and Hancock always the Superb.
Respectfully submitted.
GEo e. MERRILL
LOUIS WAGNER,
JAMES FARRAR,
JOHN ;. koUNrz.
JOHN q. LISEHAN.
discussion sprang up over proposition to
postpone the consideration of the report until
the report of the Committee on Resolutions on
the general pension bill should be received. It
was.inally decided to adopt the report.
REPORTS OF OTHER COMMITTEES.
The committee on the report Of the Quarter
master General highly eomplimented that off,
Ger for his faithful service and recommended
that the funds which were collected for the
sufferers from yellow fever in Pensacola, two
years ago. amounting to 81 800, DO covered into
the treasury.
The committee on report of the Surgeon Cen
eral reported. recommending that the forms
prepared by that officer for adoption be submit
ted To the incoming Surgeon General and a
Council of Administration.
Gen. Solomon, Of California, presented COM
munication offering a grant Of land in San
Diego County, Cal, for the purpose of estab-
fishing n Soldiers Home which was referred to
q committee of six to investigate and report.
wOMAN's RELIEF CORPS.
The following communication was reported
from the Committee on Resolutions:
ST LOUIS Mo-, sept 2s 1897
The ffth National Convention of the Woman's
Relief Corps. auxiliary to the Grand Army of the
Republic representing 81 States and Territories
and a membership of 1850 and 1913 subordinate
corps, sends greeting TO the Dist National EBeamp
EhA
the Grand Army of the Republic. For the yeal
ending June 80 1857 they have expended S37 700 in
local charity and turned over SIS J6 TO the Posts
and have "A reserve relief fund of s56 J9O72. They
have ministered to the sick cared for the destitute
provided homes for friendess widows and orphan;
Of the Union veterans, and have aided in maintain
ing and hdOrning Soldiers Homes and Soldiers
Orphans Homes in the several Departne ats When
ever called upon 70 doso.
The Woman's Relief Corps ask that the GranC
Army communicate 10 them their requests in what
ever Department OF work in which loyal hearts anC
helpful hands may be needed. Aad with charity
for all, malice toward none the work will b
promptly and oheerfully done
ELI.ABErH D'ARCY KTNNE,
National President.
: NELLIE q. BACKUs. Secretary.
Respecting this communication the Sub-eOm
mittee on Resolutions made the following re
: port:
q Your committee ON resolutions 10 which WAS sub
mitted the communication ofAg Elizabeth ID AreN
! | Kinne National President of the WOJnan's Relic
r Corps recommend that this National ERcampmen
4 OF the Grand Army Of the Republic most heartil.
! indorse in every respect our auxiliary organization
r the Woman's Relief Corps.
Il The aid and assistance rendered by this nobl
: body of women to comrades and their famile
> | when sick or needy never be forgotten, AN,
r your committee feel that this Encampment canno
Q find words too strong to sufficiently express 1t
entire appreciation and approval of the good wOFl
done by the Womans Relief Corps since its organ
o ization. W. II. SANDBER6,
!. A. IL. CAMPBELL.
X. It. WooDFIS,
a Subcommittee